“Let the Lord, not cultural success metrics, define your worth and calling.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – August 15, 2025
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:3
Self-care is healthy, but I need to be wise so that my introspection doesn’t turn into an unhealthy focus on myself. I realize I’m drifting toward selfishness when I overlook opportunities to prioritize others’ needs. Excessive self-focus manifests when I dominate conversations, making everything about my own experiences. It becomes obvious when I’m too busy checking my phone to notice someone needs encouragement, or when I choose personal comfort over helping others. I tend toward selfishness when I resent interruptions to my schedule, compare my struggles to others’ blessings, or expect constant affirmation. Wise judgment involves honestly examining my motivations: Am I genuinely serving others, or am I secretly serving myself through apparent generosity? Avoiding excessive self-focus, prays for ways to defer to others.
Paul addresses the dangers of being high-minded toward others. He is addressing spiritual pride within the Roman church, where believers were comparing their spiritual gifts and elevating themselves above others. Some felt superior due to their particular gifts or roles in the body of Christ. Paul warns against this destructive comparison, emphasizing that all gifts come from God’s grace, not personal merit. He’s calling for humble self-assessment that recognizes both our God-given abilities and our limitations, nurturing unity rather than division within the Christian community through realistic, faith-based self-evaluation. C.S. Lewis elaborates on Paul’s ideas in what he calls excessive selfness—an unhealthy preoccupation with myself and my needs.
C.S. Lewis writes to a friend about excessive selfness (self-focus), the idea of concentrating too much on oneself at the expense of selfless service to others.
A text you should keep much in mind is I John iii, 20: “If our heart condemns us God is greater than our heart.” I sometimes pray “Lord give me no more and no less self-knowledge than I can at this moment make good use of.” Remember He is the artist and you are only the picture. You can’t see it. So quietly submit to be painted—i.e., keep on fulfilling all the obvious duties of your station (you really know quite well enough what they are!), asking forgiveness for each failure and then leaving it alone. You are in the right way. Walk—don’t keep on looking at it.
So, how can we have a sober self-assessment?
Sober self-assessment begins with recognizing that every ability, opportunity, and blessing comes from God’s grace, not personal merit. Honestly evaluate your strengths without pride and your weaknesses without despair. Regularly seek feedback from trusted friends about blind spots. Compare yourself to Christ’s character rather than others’ circumstances. Acknowledge your gifts while remembering they are meant to serve others, not to elevate yourself. Practice gratitude that keeps you grounded in love. Most importantly, let the Lord, not cultural success metrics, define your worth and calling.
Prayer
Lord, help me see myself with sober judgment. Keep me humble and honest about my strengths and flaws. Guide me to live wisely, rooted in Your truth and grace each day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
Where might your focus need to shift from selfness to otherness?
Related Reading
Psalm 139:23-24; Lamentations 3:40; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Galatians 6:4
Worship Resource
Elevation Worship: You Are My Anchor
Donate
If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision.
Download our app!
